Package will help fishing industry

FEDERAL minister for fisheries Joe Ludwig has reiterated the government's commitment to compensating the commercial fishing industry for the creation of new marine national parks around Australia.

The Queensland Seafood Industry Association has been satisfied by the structure of the new park, despite early fears it would ban the industry from operating in the sea entirely.

QSIA director Geoff Tilton has said while the result could have been better for trawler fishermen, they were happy enough with the outcome, which allows them to operate in some key areas.

Mr Ludwig said $100 million would be used to compensate fishers affected by the new marine parks around Australia.

"We have announced a package in the vicinity of around $100 million for the fishing industry to adapt to these new marine reserves. The fact of the matter is that these reserves stand to displace around 1% of the annual value of all wild catch fisheries production in Australia," Mr Ludwig said.

"I want to make it clear that new marine reserves will not come into effect until industry assistance is in place and flowing to those people directly impacted."